Trailing 20-15 with 10 minutes to go, Codie Taylor’s record-breaking try drew the 14-time champions level before Richie Mo’unga’s clutch conversion put Crusaders ahead.
Damian McKenzie then had the chance to snatch victory with two minutes to go, but the penalty from inside his own half fell agonisingly short before Mo’unga sealed a fairytale ending for Robertson’s era of dominance with the final kick of the game.
The title cements Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock’s place in history as two of the greatest to ever play in Super Rugby with the departing duo getting the perfect send-off.
“This club is my life, it really is my whole life. I am so proud to be a Crusader,” a tearful Mo’unga said after his final game. “I’m lost for words, this one really means a lot to me. It never looked like we were in it but the boys hung in there and I’m so proud.”
All Black hooker Taylor added: “We talked about going to heaven this year, but we had to go through hell first earlier in the season and really finished it off tonight.”
It was a merciless start to the contest with heavy collisions in defence marking the start of an immensely physical battle.
This story is from the June 25, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 25, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
